Written by James Treadwell, IFS Growth
I entered Retreat Four: Governance and Global Issues of The NZ Leadership Programme with dread. Two full days of Zoom. Could I afford this time with all that was going on, not only at work, but also in my personal life? The obvious answer (with hindsight) is I needed to allow time for my own sanity.
WOW, this has arrived fast. So much to do, so little time. Rather than slowing down Zoom has caused my day to speed up and become intense. Oh no, I am on the panel presenting to my cohort! What to say? How can I get my message across that life is not all roses at present? Just talk from the heart James and present some scary facts.
Being on this panel was emotional. It brought home how challenging the last few months have been - and the pain will not stop. I am going to have to make decisions which are strongly against my values and beliefs. But, what can you do when you see the money running out? Running a small business is hard, and COVID-19 is frankly unfair.
Leadership for and business in a new Aotearoa. What an excellent title for the time! What a great bunch of people to discuss this with. “Tomorrow won’t look like yesterday” and “Silence gives life to their views” were two compelling statements from past Prime Minister Jim Bolger. It was an amazing, thoughtful presentation from the man. There was not much I could disagree with - which frankly surprised me. “We need to embrace the failures of the past and throw them in a dustbin, we need a new agenda, a more equal society”. Who can argue with that?!
‘Leadership for a New Future’ Panel: we started with some doom and gloom and ended with some hope. I could feel the intensity in the (virtual) room. I hope we offered some value to the cohort, but wow I just need to take a moment. Time to switch off the video for a while. Thank you, Zoom.
On this first day, Louise Marra keeps holding us in space. Keeps us thinking and breathing.
Next day’s panel features Rob Campbell and Melissa Clark-Reynolds. Looking to the future, but with a reminder “the issues we face are the same as they were before COVID-19. However, the pandemic has highlighted some of these” and “the climate crisis has not gone away”. How true! It is easy to think the world is brand new, but it is not. Same issues, perhaps, although with new ideas on how to solve them. Be careful of how one action can cause unexpected reactions. Climate change - so important to me - time to ponder what else I can do, what is my role as CEO, leader of an Institute and a member of “Team of 5 Million”.
Throughout both days, I engaged in regular conversations with trios, the ‘Mareld Syndicate’ and random one-on-ones. Fantastic to hear views from outside my bubble. It can become too easy to hear only work colleagues and family, all of whom share similar perspectives and come from the same place. The NZ Leadership Programme challenges me to listen to diverse views and be guided by art rather than facts or science. Through all this is Louise Marra, the healer who presents us with the opportunity to face the known and unknown.
Did James’ story resonate with you? This is one of many courageous, enriching and impactful journeys on The NZ Leadership Programme.
Are you a mid-career, senior executive or community leader in New Zealand who cares for the future of our nation? Do you know someone who is? Applications for our 2021 Signature Programme are OPEN NOW: https://www.leadershipnz.co.nz/programme/applications-faqs